Colourful Start To Gaan-Ngai Festival; Amid Razzmatazz CM gives unity call at Gaan-Ngai fest
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, January 25 2013: Seeking cooperation of the public in promoting peace and development in the State, chief Minister Okram ibobi Singh emphasised on discarding parochial outlook and selfishness to facilitate the State prosper in every sector.

Speaking as the chief guest at the inauguration of the State level Gaan-Ngai Festival at Tarung village in Thangmeiband, the CM opined that selfishness of certain section of the society has been one of the factors for the people of Manipur being deprived of a stable environment since the past many years.

Divisive concepts like hatred, ungratefulness, selfishness, caring for self and particular community should have no place in the society, said the CM while stressing on preserving and promoting one's culture and traditions and respect for one another for peaceful co-existence.

"We are all one and of the same parents.

No one can discriminate other community," Ibobi asserted.

Chief Minister O Ibobi starting the Gaan Ngai festival

Noting that Gaan Ngai, the grandest post-harvest festival of the Zeliangrong community, is being celebrated since ages by the Zeliangrong people of Manipur, Assam and nagaland with other communities along with religious fervour and gaiety, he expressed hope the festival will herald tranquillity and development in the State.

Exuding confidence that the festival will also promote peaceful co-existence amongst various indigenous people and rekindle century-old familial ties, he opined that celebration of Gaan-Ngai is yet another testimony that India's principle of secularism is gaining strength with each passing day.

He also highlighted that basic principle of every festival is spreading the message of unity and peaceful co-existence of mankind.

With reference to a memorandum submitted by the festival hosts, the CM assured that Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam would be consulted to what extent financial or material assistance could be provided for office building construction of Zeliangrong Union at Tarung village.

Similarly, Works Minister Dr Ratankumar would be advised to take all possible measures for development and proper maintenance of approach roads to Tarung village, maintained the CM with regard to another proposal by the event hosts.

In his address, DyCM Gaikhangam described Zeliangrong people as peace-loving community with firm commitment to promote its belief and culture.

He also informed that Gaan-Ngai is one of the grandest festivals of the Zeliangrong people who also celebrate three other festivals in a calendar year.

Even though Gaan-Ngai is celebrated over a seven-day span the same could be a five-day event as religious rites and rituals necessitate atleast a five day celebration, Gaikhangam explained.

Ministers K Govindas, Francis Ngajokpa, Dr Kh Ratankumar and Md Abdul Nasir, former Union Minister (Mos) Prof M Kamson, Parliamentary Secretary Victor Keishing, MLAs T Mangibabu Singh, Z Kikonbou Newmai and Janghemlung Panmei also attended the celebration.

The festival commenced with the traditional Meiba Chingba (fire making) and the CM lighting the celebration lamp with the flame.

Presentation of cultural items was the other highlight of the five-day festival.

It is said that Gaan-Ngai originated thousands of years ago at the ancient village of Makuilongdi, as a revelation of God for the wellbeing of mankind.

From its original reference as Chaga-Ngai, the festival is being pronounced as Hega-ngai in Zeme and Gangai in Rongmei dialects with further variations in its pronouncement, including the common reference as Gaan-Ngai by the Kabui/Rongmei.